Worst Nursing Homes in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles region has over 1,900 nursing facilities, including short—and long-term centers [1]. With so many options, it can be overwhelming for California families to choose the best nursing home for their loved ones.

Elder abuse, resident neglect, and theft are all concerns Los Angeles families may have when choosing a nursing home center. That’s why the Nursing Home Law Center has created this guide to assist in your decision. 

By recognizing the worst-rated centers in Los Angeles, you and your family can avoid them, ensuring your elderly family member receives the care they deserve and require.

We’ll review how nursing homes in Los Angeles County are rated, including what factors contribute to the overall rating. We’ll also review how to assess the quality of any homes you’re considering. Finally, we’ll leave you with a list of the worst nursing homes in the state based on a history of facility citations.

How Nursing Center Homes in Los Angeles County Are Rated

Regulations are essential in promoting good quality care in Los Angeles’s nursing homes. LA’s nursing homes are rated based on various criteria, including government inspections, resident surveys, and health reviews. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health regulate nursing homes in Los Angeles.

Government Inspections

Annual government inspections review various factors to determine whether a nursing home meets federal and state regulations. A typical government inspection might include meetings with staff members, third-party observations, and resident interviews. A formal inspection may also include a review of a facility’s health, staffing, and overall quality measures.

Resident Surveys

Resident surveys gather additional information about a nursing home. CMS conducts surveys of past residents to understand patient experiences better and determine how well a nursing home or hospital meets federal and state regulations. Residents who spend at least 100 days in a facility may receive a survey.

Other Factors

CMS may use other factors when determining a nursing home’s rating. Health inspection report results and citations are also factored into long-term care ratings. Facilities that have received elder abuse or neglect complaints will receive lower ratings. Facilities with a long history of prior complaints often receive the lowest ratings.

Facilities are given the chance to resolve issues. Some facilities may be enrolled in a Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which aims to improve the quality of care in the lowest-rated homes. 

SFF candidates will receive inspections two times per year. If those in the SFF program continue to fail to address complaints, they may be subject to fines. In some cases, Medicaid and Medicare may discontinue funding or program eligibility.

List of the Worst Los Angeles Nursing Homes

CMS uses a star rating system to review and rank nursing homes in the United States. The rating system is between one and five stars, with a five-star rating being the best. A one-star rating indicates that a nursing home fails to provide residents with quality care. Health inspection citations are also considered in the rating system.

Government Ratings

Based on CMS ratings, here are some of the worst nursing homes in Los Angeles, California: [3]

• Temple Park Convalescent Hospital
• Sunray Healthcare Center
• East Terrace Rehabilitation & Wellness Centre, LP
• St. John of God Retirement
• Western Convalescent Hospital
• Vernon Healthcare Center
• Maywood Skilled Nursing & Wellness Centre
• Longwood Manor Conv. Hospital
• Crenshaw Nursing Home
• LA Brea Rehabilitation Center

Each nursing home listed received a one-star rating, the lowest on the five-star scale. Some low-quality ratings are due to poor staffing levels or food quality. Others, however, may include reports of elder abuse or neglect. Using the CMS compare tool when reviewing potential nursing homes is always a good idea.

Health Inspection Citations

Health inspection citations can also help identify the worst nursing homes. Here are some nursing homes in the Los Angeles area that have received recent health inspection violations: [4]

• Maple Healthcare Center: This nursing home facility has received numerous violations, some of which are related to failing to protect residents from abuse, physical punishment, or neglect.
• Westwood Post Acute Care: This facility has received numerous citations, some for failing to notify the proper authorities of suspected abuse, neglect, or theft.
• Fountain View Subacute and Nursing Center: This home has numerous citations for timely reporting of abuse, neglect, or theft.
• Hollenbeck Palms: This facility has numerous citations, including failing to provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Many facilities listed here have numerous health citations, typically leading to lower ratings. CMS health inspections include deficiencies covering quality of life and care, pharmacy service, nutrition and diet, and administration policies.

Factors Contributing to Nursing Home Abuse

Many factors can contribute to nursing home abuse or neglect. Here are some of the most common factors to be aware of.

Understaffing

Los Angeles, California, understaffed nursing homes put their patients at risk. When residents don’t have access to supervision and care, they’re at an increased risk of slips and falls or medication errors. Families are paying a nursing home to supervise and care for their loved ones, and when they don’t, it puts them at risk of serious injury.

Inadequate Training

Nursing home facilities have a duty to appropriately staff based on resident numbers and ensure proper training of all employees. A facility that fails to check staff credentials or provide ongoing training could be at risk of an expensive fine or low rating. Additionally, if a resident is injured due to inadequate training, it could make them liable for neglect.

Financial Pressures

Financial pressures to make more money can lead to a nursing home sacrificing the care and safety of a facility. Staff or administrators may reduce maintenance or repair budgets. They may also reduce the quality of food served to residents. Less money may also mean lower-quality caregivers and nursing staff.

Corporate Ownership

Corporate-owned nursing homes often have more financial pressures. Upper-level administration may reduce program budgets, leading to poor care or neglect. The Center for Medicare Advocacy found that corporate-owned facilities tend to have more total deficiencies, lower staff-to-resident ratios, and more prioritization of profits than care [2].

Protecting Nursing Home Residents

The Nursing Home Law Center aims to protect nursing home residents in Los Angeles, California, through better transparency and access to information. By providing Los Angeles family members with the resources they need to research nursing home facilities, we’re confident they can use this information to keep their loved ones safe.

Research and Inspection

Research and inspection are essential steps in choosing the best nursing home in Los Angeles for your loved one. In addition to selecting a nursing facility that values resident safety and care, it’s also crucial to choose one that meets the unique care needs of your family member. 

For example, a Dementia care program may be necessary to some families when choosing a long-term care facility.

Make sure you schedule a tour of any nursing homes you’re considering. Evaluate the patient rooms and shared facilities. Survey the facility’s safety protocols and regulations, and be ready to ask questions.

Ask Questions

Asking questions is one of the best ways to learn about a facility. Here are some questions you might ask the nursing home staff or administrators:

• How much time does an average resident spend in their room?
• How do you protect facility residents from harm?
• What is your current CMS rating?
• Do you have any pending reports of elder abuse or neglect?
• Are there any rooms within the facility that are not wheelchair accessible?
• Do you offer any specialized Dementia or memory care?
• What did your most recent health inspection report look like?
• How frequently can I speak to my family member’s care team?
• Who is in charge of policy changes? How frequently do they occur?

Trust Your Instincts

As with any big decision involving your loved one, always trust your instincts. Choose a nursing home willing to answer your questions and invite you on a tour. Get to know your loved one’s care team before moving them into the new facility. This provides a direct line of communication that lets you stay on top of your elderly family member’s safety.

Contact a Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Unfortunately, research and knowledge aren’t always enough to keep your loved one in a nursing home safe. Even the best-rated nursing homes are at risk of elder abuse or neglect. Nursing home abuse is never acceptable, and the Nursing Home Law Center is here to help families seek justice.

Our team is ready to fight on behalf of your loved one, helping them tell the story of what happened while serving justice.

Call a Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

Nursing homes are supposed to protect your loved ones and keep them safe. When they don’t, they may be financially liable. Financial recovery may not reverse the pain and suffering your loved one has had to endure, but it can help you access the resources you need to recover.

Additionally, by taking the necessary steps to report a negligent nursing home, you can help protect other facility residents from harm.

Contact the Nursing Home Law Center by phone today at (800) 926-7565 to speak to an experienced lawyer. You can also fill out our online form to have a lawyer contact you by phone.

Resources: [1] County of Los Angeles Public Health, [2] Center for Medicare Advocacy, [3] Medicare, [4] CMS,